Hikes in Santa Barbara County

If you come to Santa Barbara for the scenic coastline, fine wineries, and quaint lodging, you should stay for the excellent hiking. The Santa Ynez Mountains rise just behind the coastal cities of Santa Barbara County. This east-west range is part of Los Padres National Forest and forms a beautiful green backdrop for Santa Barbara. Many great trails run through these mountains, visiting quiet canyons, gushing waterfalls, and overlooks with stunning ocean views. ... Read more.
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Central Coast

Hi Mountain Trail
in Arroyo Grande

San Luis Obispo | Trails
Trail Rating:
Hi Mountain Trail in Arroyo Grande
Hi Mountain Trail is located in the Santa Lucia Mountains east of Lopez Lake. The San Luis Obispo County-run trail is quite different from the area's coastal hikes and covers a variety of environments in a short distance. Start with a nice-and-easy stream-side trail through a dense woodland. Bust up a ridge and suddenly you're in a grassy landscape with panoramic views. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Arroyo Grande · Free Trails · Santa Lucia Mountains
Distance: 3.25 miles · Elevation change: 575 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: June 8, 2015 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Central Coast

Bluff Trail
in Fiscalini Ranch Preserve

San Luis Obispo | Trails
Trail Rating:
Bluff Trail in Fiscalini Ranch Preserve
Fiscalini Ranch Preserve (previously called East West Ranch) is a 434-acre park right in the middle of Cambria, a coastal town at the north end of San Luis Obispo County. Bordered by neighborhoods to the north and south, the preserve provides public access to a mile of beautiful coastline spared from development except for trails with boardwalks, bridges, and whimsical benches made out of driftwood. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Boardwalks · Cambria · Fiscalini Ranch Preserve · Free Trails · Ocean Views · Wheelchair-Friendly
Distance: 1.9 miles · Elevation change: 50 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: June 5, 2015 Last updated: December 5, 2025
Central Coast

Old Prospector Trail Loop in Irish Hills Natural Reserve in San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo | Trails
Trail Rating:
Old Prospector Trail Loop in Irish Hills Natural Reserve in San Luis Obispo
Today the Irish Hills are like a gold mine for hikers, but the small mountain range in San Luis Obispo historically hosted several mines for chromium and mercury. The ruins of one of these mines can be visited on Old Prospector Trail, which opened in 2015 to join the growing group of trails in Irish Hills Natural Reserve. This hikers-only single track starts in Froom Canyon and is 0. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Free Trails · Irish Hills · Mines · Ruins
Distance: 4.4 miles · Elevation change: 650 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: March 18, 2015 Last updated: April 9, 2026
Central Coast

Trails in Montaña de Oro State Park

San Luis Obispo
Trails in Montaña de Oro State Park
Montaña de Oro State Park has dramatic ocean bluffs and summits with sweeping views. The park covers over 8,000 acres and has 7 miles of undeveloped coastline, making it a rare treasure on the California Coast. One road leads into the park, entering from the town of Los Osos to the north, which is just west of the city of San Luis Obispo. Visitors can stay overnight at a 50-site campground at the center of the park. ...Read more.
Tagged with · California State Parks · Free Trails · Los Osos · Ocean Views · Summits · Montaña de Oro State Park
By: Seth Smigelski Published: February 9, 2015 Last updated: April 8, 2026
Central Coast

Cuesta Ridge Botanical Area via West Cuesta Ridge Road in Los Padres National Forest

San Luis Obispo | Trails
Trail Rating:
Cuesta Ridge Botanical Area via West Cuesta Ridge Road in Los Padres National Forest
Discover a tucked-away oasis of Sargent cypress straddling a ridge in the Santa Lucia Mountains north of San Luis Obispo. The evergreens are accompanied by coastal views that could have you imagining you're somewhere farther north in California. The hike to Cuesta Ridge Botanical Special Interest Area is 6 miles round trip up a partially paved road with 950 feet of elevation change. ...Read more.
Tagged with · Free Trails · Los Padres National Forest · Ocean Views · Santa Lucia Mountains · Santa Margarita · Summits
Distance: 6 miles · Elevation change: 950 feet
By: Seth Smigelski Published: February 7, 2015 Last updated: December 5, 2025
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